America
7 Deadly Zins - This one blew my socks off—so light and friendly, with lots of concentrated fruit notes, spices, and black currant on the finish
Barefoot Cabernet Sauvignon - bold berry flavors, black currants, and a warm vanilla finish
Barefoot Moscato - fruity, sweet, and refreshing
Barefoot Riesling - a sweeter white with hints of orange blossom and apple
Boundary Breaks Riesling- crisp and smooth, not-too-sweet, with lovely citrus notes
Caymus Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon - scents of dark cherry and blackberry, subtly layered with warm notes of vanilla and flourishes of cocoa and sweet tobacco
Clos du Bois Pinot Grigio - light, crisp, and just delightful to drink; lots of candied lemon on the nose, with notes of grapefruit, ginger, and tiny bit of grass on the palate
Francis Ford Coppola Rosso - the supple texture and rich, juicy flavors of plum, cherries, mocha, and strawberry jam make this wine a perfect accompaniment to almost any meal
Francis Coppola Diamond Collection Merlot - intense aromatics of raspberry and blueberry lead to flavors of crushed berries, vanilla and leather, wrapped up in a soft, smooth tannin structure
Gnarly Head Chardonnay - this chardonnay offers heady flavors of citrus and pear and a touch of vanilla
Gnarly Head Old Vine Zinfandel - rich, dark berry flavors with layers of spice, plum, pepper and vanilla balanced by light hint of toasted oak
Gnarly Head Pinot Grigio - light and bright, with a honeysuckle aroma and citrus flavor of Meyer lemon, this Pinot Grigio was delightful alongside a spicy penne alla vodka
Joel Gott Zinfandel - earthy on the nose, with hints of sage, rosemary, and plum—a bit fruity without being too jammy, thanks to some leather and tobacco notes. A little acid and silky tannins round out a nice, long finish.
L de Lyeth Merlot - a medium-bodied Merlot that fills the front to mid palate with fresh summer strawberries, blackberries, and plums
La Crema Pinot Noir - cherry pie aromas mingle with alluring cocoa, allspice and black tea notes, with flavors of pomegranate, red plum, and orange zest
Laguna Chardonnay - ample bunches of honeysuckle and citrus on the nose; the palate boasts delightful notes of pear and lemon, and the tannins are pronounced, but not overpowering, and long on the finish.
Mark West Pinot Noir - the fruit forward flavors of strawberry and cherry cola, along with soft tannins but a nice bite of acid, make this wine a great complement to meats of all kinds—cheeseburgers, bbq chicken, grilled salmon—as well as any cheese plate
Kenwood 2011 Yulupa Zinfandel - fruit-forward and balanced, with a nice touch of acidity and mild tannins. Surprisingly refreshing to drink with a meaty, white fish!
Sutter Home Pinot Grigio - with notes of honeysuckle and lime, this wine sports medium acid with a high-ish tasting alcohol content, rounded out with flavors of peach and cantaloupe
Australia
Belle Ambiance Cabernet Sauvignon 2014 - super plummy, like blackberry jam, with luscious body, medium-lowish alcohol, and glowing tannins that are long on the finish. Young and bright, it mellows a bit if you let it open for 30 minutes or so
D’Arenberg “The Footbolt” McLaren Vale Shiraz, South Australia - rich and full-bodied with aromas of ripe blackberry and spice that mingle with minty peppery notes
Four Sisters Shiraz - a medium-bodied wine with ripe, plump aromas and flavors of raspberries, plums and blackcurrants and background notes of spice and licorice
Layer Cake Shiraz - layered with rich blackberry, dark cherries and hints of dark, creamy chocolate ganache
Killibinbin Sneaky Shiraz - a beautiful, deep garnet color, with loads of dark berries on the nose. It's got a light mouthfeel, with tannins and spice that sneak up on you (they do!) and play nicely with the young, plummy flavors of the wine
McWilliam's Hanwood Estate Shiraz - dry and fruit-forward, with raspberry, black cherry, plums, vanilla, and a touch of oak, this wine is a flavor powerhouse at a great value
Mollydooker "The Boxer" Shiraz - elegant, beautiful, and full-bodied; creamy with massive powerful dark chocolate flavors; plum jam, mocha, licorice all sorts, plus raspberry, blackberry, coffee, spice, anise, and cigar shop.
Taltarni Shiraz - rich, fruity, full of raspberries and cherries, complete with smooth tannins
Chile
Lapostolle Casa Grand Selection Cabernet Sauvignon - a dark, purple color, with a medium mouthfeel carries a world of juicy stone fruits, like plums and cherries.
Casa Lapostolle "Clos Apalta" - voluptuous and silky, rich and decidedly sexy
France
Augey White Bordeaux - a blend of Sauvignon Blanc and Sémillon with fresh aromas of citrus, apples, and a hint of lemon grass—and not too sweet
La Petite Frog Picpoul De Pinet - nice citrus on the nose, slightly tart with a little zing of grass and lemon on the palate
Chateau Mont-Redon Côtes du Rhône - dark berries and raspberries on the palate are offset by slight grilled notes and nuances of licorice
Domaine Des Espiers Côtes du Rhône - floral and ripe, fresh and balanced, with notes of strawberries and cherries
Emile Beyer Riesling - a dry, fruity white with notes of lemon and a crisp finish
Italy
Boroli Barolo - ripe red fruits and the heady scents of leather and tobacco on the nose; the palate delivers notes of blackberries, oak, vanilla, and even a little espresso, with firm, long-lasting tannins on the finish
Cascina Pellerino Langhe Nebbiolo - a fine wine with hints of grass and berries
Cusumano Nero D'Avola - fruit-forward with firm tannins and plummy spice flavors
Duca Enrico - strong, round, well-balanced, with woody scents and a blend of ripe fruit, irises and spices
Kris Pinot Grigio - light and refreshing with enticing aromas of acacia flowers, citrus, tangerine, and hints of apricots, almonds, and honey
Maso Canali Pinot Grigio - crisp, with citrus and floral notes, the latter of which isn't overpowering
Re Manfredi Aglianico del Vulture - distinct scents of sweet vanilla and caramel mingle with fruity notes of black currant and blackberry to create a deliciously smooth wine
Sella & Mosca Cannonau Di Sardegna Riserva - extremely bold tannins and very earthy, with lots of leather and herby notes; highly acidic with a bit of cherry
Straccali Chianti - a dry, medium-bodied red that has flavors of cherry and strawberry, with dried herb notes, with well-balanced acidity and tannins on finish
Zardetto Prosecco - deliciously creamy and bubbly, with peach and floral notes
new zealand
Kim Crawford Sauvignon Blanc - grass and tropical fruit are on the nose; the palate reveals low acid and medium alcohol levels with notes of kiwi, lime zest, and honeydew
Lonely Cow Sauvignon Blanc - with white peach and zesty lime aromas, this crisp Sauvignon Blanc tastes of candied pineapple and tangerine, followed by white pepper accents on the finish
Starborough Sauvignon Blanc - surprisingly refreshing, the crisp, green notes of citrus and pear complement each other quite nicely
Portugal
Casal Garcia Vinho Verdo - this wine is tart: super crisp and citrusy, with a light hint of floral pineapple. It's a bit bubbly, too!
Graham's Vintage Port 1994 - vinous, extremely balanced and offering scents of red licorice and raspberry fruit with a mocha note and ripe/round tannins to deliver a deft balance
Spain
Carrizal Rioja Riserva - a mellow wine that's easy on the palate with a smooth finish laced with caramel
Faustino V 1998 Rioja Reserve - filled with heady scent of snapping black cherries and vanilla
Juvé Y Camps Rosé Brut Cava -features hints of strawberries and honeysuckle on the nose, a full, creamy mouthfeel and a palate of tart berries